The optimal timing of repair in postinfarct interventricular septal rupture remains controversial. We report a 53-year-old man with a postinfarct ventricular septal defect sustained on intraaortic balloon pump for 20 days before successful surgical closure. In the presence of proponents of routine early closure of postinfarct ventricular septal defects the possibility of prolonged intraaortic balloon pump support to stabilize the patient must be kept in mind.
SkillingtonPDDaviesRHLuffAJSurgical treatment for infarct related ventricular septal defects. Improved early results combined with analysis of late functional status. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg1990;99: 798–808.
3.
RadfordMJJohnsonRADaggettWMJr.Ventricular septal rupture: A review of clinical and physiological features and an analysis of survival. Circulation1981;64: 545–53.
4.
CaspiYMerinGSafadiTAmarRElamiAFishmanNH. Surgical treatment of postinfarction ventricular septal defect without concomitant myocardial revascularisation. J Cardiovasc Surg1988;29: 383–6.
5.
MontoyaAMcKeeverLScanlonPSullivanHJGunnarRMPifarreR. Early repair of ventricular septal rupture after infarction. Am J Cardiol1980;45: 345–8.
6.
LoisanceD YCacheraJPPoulainHAubryPJuvinAMGaleyJJ. Ventricular septal after acute myocardial infarction: Early repair. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg1980;80: 61–7.
7.
WindsorHMShanahanMXChangVP. Perforation of the interventricular septum complicating myocardial infarction. Med J Aust1978;1: 587–90.
8.
Estrada-QuinteroTUretskyBFMuraliSHardestyRL. Prolonged intraaortic balloon support for septal rupture after myocardial infarction. Ann Thorac Surg1992;53: 335–7.
9.
PhillipsSJKreamerRKongtahwornCPermanent left ventricular assistance for outpatients through surgical implantation of a modified intraaortic balloon pump. Texas Heart Institute Journal1989;16: 275–9.
